Ruddock's religious freedom review starts

The day after same-sex couples were officially able to tie the knot in Australia, a review into whether there is adequate legal protection for religious freedom is getting underway.

Former immigration minister Philip Ruddock and a panel which includes Australian Human Rights Commission President Rosalind Croucher have been tasked with reviewing the issue following the passage of same-sex marriage laws last year.

The panel will meet in Sydney on Wednesday and must report back to the government by the end of March.